Jamaica Mistaica

Album: Banana Wind (1996)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • On January 16, 1996, Buffett's seaplane, the "Hemisphere Dancer," was shot at when it landed off the coast of Negril by Jamaican police who thought it was smuggling marijuana. The windshield was blown out, but nobody on board was hurt.

    Buffett, a frequent flier who was taking one of his many impromptu tropical excursions, had some high-profile guests on board: U2 frontman Bono (with his family) and Island Records producer Chris Blackwell. Speaking with the Belfast Telegraph, Bono said: "I felt as if we were in the middle of a James Bond movie - only this was real. It was absolutely terrifying and I honestly thought we were all going to die."

    Buffett was warned by his longtime pilot Jim Powell, who refused to make the trip, that landing in Negril could be a problem, as the area was politically volatile.

    When they realized their mistake, the Jamaican government apologized. Buffett explains in the song:

    Well the word got out all over the island
    Friends, strangers, they were all apologizing
    Some thought me crazy for being way too nice
    But it's just another s---ty day in paradise
  • The "three swell kids" Buffett references are his daughters Savannah Jane and Sarah Delaney, and son Cameron Marley.

Comments: 1

  • Vee from Virginia BeachI love the rhyming title, but the story is crazy & real life!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.